Foreign remittances rise by 32% in May

Sri Lanka received USD 847 million as migrant workers'remittances in May, according to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

The SLBFE also stated that, according to Central Bank data, this is the second-highest monthly remittance inflow ever recorded in the recent history.

The highest-ever monthly remittance inflow was previously recorded in December 2025, amounting to USD 879.1 million.

In comparison, Sri Lanka received USD 641.7 million in remittances in May 2025, meaning this year’s May figure reflects a notable increase of 32%, the Bureau said.

Central Bank data further shows that total remittances during the first five months of this year reached USD 3.9 billion, compared to USD 3.1 billion during the same period in 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of 26%.

The United Arab Emirates was the largest source of foreign remittances to Sri Lanka during the year so far.

Meanwhile, between January and May 2026, a total of 100,686 Sri Lankans departed for overseas employment, with the largest share — 21,977 workers — leaving for jobs in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Bureau.